Introduction to Virtual Reality Side Effects
If you are anything like me, you have probably wondered how long you may hide from the actual world in your virtual-reality (VR) headset, and questioned what would occur should you spent prolonged hours within the digital world. The easy answers are: not very long, and really unpleasant things, respectively. The complicated answer is that everybody experiences VR in a different way, and never all VR headsets or platforms are created equal, so certain games on certain headsets on certain individuals are going to cause more problems than others.
What Happens When You Spend Too Much Time in VR
The makers of the preferred VR headsets, the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, recommend taking "at the very least a ten to fifteen minute break every half-hour, even should you don’t think you would like it." Spending greater than the really helpful half-hour in VR may cause a variety of problems, including:
Loss of Spatial Awareness
In every guide to getting began with VR, step primary is at all times to ensure that the world around you is evident of any furniture, cables, animals, babies or other things you may trip on, run into, or knock over. This is particularly true for full-room VR experiences like those provided by the HTC Vive, but is equally essential for individuals who are using a stationary or seated game. Spending greater than the really helpful half-hour in VR will — in nearly every case — cause you to lose spatial awareness of the room around you.
Dizziness and Disorientation
Disorientation varies very widely amongst VR users. Those who’re susceptible to motion sickness or vertigo are rather more prone to experience uncomfortable disorientation while in VR, but the sensation can occur to anyone that hasn’t taken a break in awhile. Games that involve flying, high-speed movement, heights and falling are known to cause extreme disorientation and needs to be avoided by anyone susceptible to this type of response.
Seizures
Most makers of VR equipment don’t recommend individuals with epileptic conditions or special sensitivities to rapidly changing light try the experience, but these symptoms can occur even when the user has never experienced a seizure before. According to the academic booklet that comes with the Oculus Rift, some people could have severe dizziness, seizures, eye or muscle twitching or blackouts triggered by light flashes or patterns.
Nausea
VR is well-known to cause nausea, mostly because it’s related to motion sickness and the speed of the objects moving in the sport you are playing. A couple of studies have checked out a one other condition generally known as "cybersickness" or "sim sickness" that’s attributable to being overwhelmingly immersed by a simulated reality. In the actual world, all your senses work in sync to soak up observations from the world around you, and are typically in agreement with each other. But in VR or while watching a 3D movie, your eyes and ears are taking in observations that do not agree together with your other senses.
Eye Soreness and Trouble Focusing
Have you ever tried on a friend’s glasses and been surprised by the feeling of your eyes struggling to regulate and refocus through the lenses? Depending on the strength of your friend’s prescription, you might have even gotten a splitting headache afterward. That’s exactly what your eyes undergo whenever you placed on or take off a VR headset. Short-term eye strain while in VR may be very normal, and really just like the experience of taking a look at a pc screen or TV for too long.
The World Record for Time Spent Playing VR Games
The current world record for time spent playing VR games is held by Jack McNee, who spent 36 continuous hours playing a single 3D drawing game. Shockingly, McNee doesn’t experience any of the intense negative effects that the majority VR manufacturers warn against, although at the top of the video, he says he cannot feel anything below his neck. I’m undecided what the medical term for that’s, but it surely doesn’t sound nice. With that said, this length of time spent in VR shouldn’t be attempted at home, and will cause serious long-term effects that experts aren’t even aware of yet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while VR could be a fun and immersive experience, it’s essential to concentrate on the potential negative effects of spending an excessive amount of time within the digital world. By taking regular breaks, being mindful of your surroundings, and avoiding games that will cause discomfort, you’ll be able to enjoy VR while minimizing the risks. Remember, it is usually higher to err on the side of caution and prioritize your physical and mental health when exploring the world of virtual reality.
